Vented cap

ABSTRACT

A vented cap for use on a filling pipe or neck connected to a tank containing a liquid fuel and the like. The cap comprises an integral hollow dome-like housing having a threaded inner portion or similar means for securing the cap, a pair of outer finger grip means, and elongated vent hole means extending through each of said finger grip means communicating between said hollow upper inner portion and an exterior lower part of said cap.

United States Patent [191 Loomis Dec. 23, 1975 VENTED CAP [76] Inventor: Lyon K. Loomis, PO. Box 618,

Coconut Grove Station, Miami, Fla. 33133 [22] Filed: Jan. 23, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 543,627

[52] US. Cl. 220/374; 220/367; 220/373 [51] Int. Cl. B65D 51/16 [58] Field of Search 220/367, 371, 372, 373,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,733,775 2/1956 Dupure 220/371 X 2,800,245 7/1957 Doyle et a1. 220/273 Primary ExaminerGeorge T. Hall Attorney, Agent, or FirmMi1len, Raptes & White [57] ABSTRACT A vented cap for use on a filling pipe or neck connected to a tank containing a liquid fuel and the like. The cap comprises an integral hollow dome-like housing having a threaded inner portion or similar means for securing the cap, a pair of outer finger grip means, and elongated vent hole means extending through each of said finger grip means communicating between said hollow upper inner portion and an exterior lower part of said cap.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 VENTED CAP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vented closure cap for the end of a filling pipe or neck connected to a tank or vessel containing a combustible or volatile liquid such as a fuel to permit free venting of the tank while preventing foreign matter from getting into the tank and pipe. There are many known venting caps used with liquid containing tanks. However, most of these caps are constructed of several parts including baffles, external screws and springs which can rust and corrode. These caps then allow spillage of the liquid from the tank. Furthermore, various types of caps vent only when increased pressure develops in the tank, and then only if the operator remembers to loosen an external screw device.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a unitary vented cap constructed of metal and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary vented cap containing a unique arrangement of vent holes whereby the pressure in the tank is always equalized with the ambient pressure outside the tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unitary vented cap containing vent holes in a unique ar rangement whereby spillage from the tank cannot easily occur.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the study of the following detailed description, drawing, and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects will be apparent by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the vented cap of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vented cap from underneath;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 and also depicting the cap as mounted on a pipe communicating with a fuel tank;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view in section showing a second embodiment of the vented cap; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a third embodiment of the vented cap.

The embodiment of the vented cap, shown in the drawing in FIGS. 14 comprises a generally domeshaped portion 10, vertical finger grips 12 and 14 extending outwardly from said dome, and a peripheral shoulder 16. The overall cap is shown circular in form, however, the cap can also be constructed in non-circular forms. The cap is provided with internal threads 18 which are adapted to be threaded on a threaded pipe 20 of a tank 22 as shown in FIG. 3. Although a threaded arrangement is shown, other suitable arrangements such as press fits, etc. can also be used.

The two vertical finger grips 12 and 14 provided on either side of the cap extend from the outer top of the dome portion to the upper part of shoulder 16 and are of a width and thickness adequate to provide for elongated vent holes 24 and 26 which are disposed therethrough. Vent holes 24 and 26 extend and communicate from the bottom 28 of shoulder 16 through the finger grips 12 and 14, respectively, to a point near the top inner surface 30 of the dome portion 10. The vent holes are shown as inwardly slanted from the bottom 28 of the shoulder to space 32 below the top inner surface 30. Space 32 is a zone above the fuel in the fuel tank 22 and pipe 20. Vent holes 24 and 26 provide venting means and pressure equalization means between space 32 and the ambient pressure surrounding the cap. Although holes 24 and 26 are depicted as straight holes which can be drilled easily through the finger grips 12 and 14, it is also contemplated that the holes can have a tortuous or non-straight path formed during the manufacture of the cap as by casting or molding. In addition, the holes can exit at the sides of Shoulder 16.

It is to be noted that the cap provided with threads 18 or any other securing means on the pipe 20 is designed to permit holes 24 and 26 to communicate with space 32. Thus, in any arrangement, the inner ends of the holes 24 and 26 will be open to the space 32 above the threads 18, etc.

The above described vented cap provides a unique means for venting pressures which can build up in a liquid-containing tank while at the same time preventing spillage of liquid from the tank when the tank is in motion, and when the liquid is being jostled around in the tank.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 combines a circular baffle plate 40 with the vented cap shown in FIGS. l-4. The baffle 40 is mounted between the top inner wall 30 and a peripheral ledge 44 by a spring 42 and is thereby spring-biased. Baffle 40 is mounted so that its normal disposition is slightly below the vent holes 24 and 26. Sufficient pressure buildup in the tank and pipe will force the baffle 40 upwardly against the spring and the pressure will be released through the vent holes 24 and 26. Thereafter, the baffle will be forced down by the spring onto the ledge 44. In this embodiment, the baffle is provided to additionally assure that no spillage of liquid can occur when the tank and contents are subjected to violent motion, as in the case of motor boats, rough-terrain vehicles, etc.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 combines a fixed small circular baffle plate 50 with the vented cap which is shown in FIGS. l-4. The baffle 50 is mounted below the top inner wall 30 by means of radial arms 52, 54, 56, and 58, secured to the side inner wall 51 of the cap. The baffle 50 is disposed slightly below the vent holes 24 and 26 (not seen in FIG. 6). Baffle 50 is arranged in the cap to cover, but spaced from, the opening of pipe 20 and thereby not to seal the opening. In this arrangement liquid in the tank is greatly prevented from spilling out of the pipe 20 by the baffle 50 when the tank is subjected to violent motion. However, vapor pressure buildup in the tank is prevented because the vapors can be vented around the perimeter of baffle 50 and out the vent holes 24 and 26.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

What is claimed is:

l. A vented cap for a tank containing volatile liquids, such as a fuel and the like, comprising a dome-like housing having a hollow inner portion and adapted to be securely engaged on pipe means of a tank, shoulder means disposed at the bottom periphery of said housing, vertical finger grip means integral with said'ihous said housing and the other open end of which is disposed at the bottom of said shoulder means.

4. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein said housing has internal threads disposed below the .upper inner openings of said hole means.

5. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein said housing has spring-biased baffle means disposed below said top inner surface of said housing.

6. The vented cap of claim 5 wherein said baffle means normally rests on a peripheral ledge on said inner surface of said housing below said hole means.

7. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein said housing has fixed baffle means disposed below said top inner surface of said housing. 

1. A vented cap for a tank containing volatile liquids, such as a fuel and the like, comprising a dome-like housing having a hollow inner portion and adapted to be securely engaged on pipe means of a tank, shoulder means disposed at the bottom periphery of said housing, vertical finger grip means integral with said housing, hole means disposed through said finger grip means, said hole means communicating between said hollow upper inner portion of said housing and an exterior part of said cap.
 2. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein there are two of said finger grip means and said hole means extend through said shoulder means.
 3. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein said hole means are straight elongated holes, one open end of which is disposed immediately below the top inner surface of said housing and the other open end of which is disposed at The bottom of said shoulder means.
 4. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein said housing has internal threads disposed below the upper inner openings of said hole means.
 5. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein said housing has spring-biased baffle means disposed below said top inner surface of said housing.
 6. The vented cap of claim 5 wherein said baffle means normally rests on a peripheral ledge on said inner surface of said housing below said hole means.
 7. The vented cap of claim 1 wherein said housing has fixed baffle means disposed below said top inner surface of said housing. 